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skates

Figure skates vary significantly depending on the skill level of the skater and the type of skating they are engaged in. Here's a detailed breakdown:

Beginner Skates

The most important equipment a skater will purchase is their skates. Starting out you can get away with a pair for less than $100. Even if you are just starting out with lessons I suggest you purchase a pair of figure skates. While most rinks will rent skates or even offer them free to students who register for classes, these skates often have dull blades and poor support. If you are not going to buy skates you should at least ask for a sharp pair when picking up rental skates. If you start out with dull skates you will be sliding sideways. This will make it very frustrating to skate. This frustration may lead you to deciding you don't like skating.

Features

  • Boots: Softer and more flexible to provide comfort and support as beginners learn basic skating skills. Often made of synthetic materials or a combination of leather and synthetic.
  • Blades: Shorter toe picks and less aggressive rocker, designed to be more forgiving and help beginners learn to balance and perform basic moves.

Popular Models

  1. Jackson Ultima Mystique: Known for its comfort and support, ideal for those starting to learn basic figure skating moves.
  2. Riedell 113 Sparkle: A lightweight skate with a soft lining, providing good support for beginners.

Intermediate Skates

When you begin spinning and jumping you will want to purchase better skates. At this point boots and blades are sold separately. You will want sturdy boots. Sturdy figure skating boots will support your jumps and help prevent injury. You can expect to pay form $200-$500 for a good intermediate pair of skates with blades.

Features

  • Boots: More supportive and stiffer than beginner boots, often with reinforced ankle support to help with jumps and spins.
  • Blades: More pronounced toe picks and a more aggressive rocker to aid in performing more advanced techniques.

Popular Models

  1. Jackson Ultima Excel: Offers enhanced support and comfort, suitable for skaters transitioning to more advanced moves.
  2. Edea Overture: Known for its lightweight design and durability, providing excellent support for intermediate skaters.

Advanced Skates

The advanced figure skater will need a figure skating boot that will suppor high impact jumps. Advanced figure skating jumps require good ankle support. You will want sturdy boots. Sturdy figure skating boots will support your jumps and help prevent injury. You can expect to pay form $800-$1,400 for a good, advanced pair of skates with blades. Check out these brands of competitive figure skates.

Features

  • Boots: Very stiff and highly supportive, often made of high-quality leather or advanced synthetic materials. Designed to withstand the stress of advanced jumps and spins.
  • Blades: Long toe picks and a highly aggressive rocker for maximum maneuverability and precision in complex routines.

Popular Models

  1. Jackson Elite: A high-performance skate offering maximum support and comfort for elite skaters.
  2. Edea Ice Fly: Lightweight and highly supportive, favored by many top-level skaters for its advanced design and comfort.

Freestyle vs. Dance Skates

Freestyle Skates

  • Boots: Stiff and supportive to handle jumps and spins, with more padding to absorb impact.
  • Blades: Longer, with more pronounced toe picks for jumps and intricate footwork.

Popular Models

  1. Risport RF3 Pro: Provides the necessary stiffness and support for freestyle skating, with an emphasis on jump stability.
  2. Graf Edmonton Special: Known for its superior craftsmanship and support, ideal for high-level freestyle skaters.

Dance Skates

  • Boots: Lower cut to allow greater ankle movement and flexibility, essential for the intricate footwork and edge work in ice dance.
  • Blades: Shorter with a less aggressive rocker and smaller toe picks, designed for precision and smooth transitions.

Popular Models

  1. Edea Flamenco Ice: Specifically designed for ice dance, offering flexibility and support needed for dance routines.
  2. Riedell 3030 Aria: Combines lightweight design with strong support, perfect for ice dance skaters focusing on edge work and footwork.

Popular Brands

  1. Jackson Ultima: Known for its wide range of skates catering to all levels, from beginners to elite skaters.
  2. Riedell: Renowned for its high-quality, durable skates that provide excellent support and comfort.
  3. Edea: Italian brand famous for its lightweight, innovative designs preferred by many top skaters.
  4. Graf: Swiss brand known for its precision and craftsmanship, producing skates that are both supportive and comfortable.
  5. Risport: Offers high-quality skates with a focus on providing the right balance of support and flexibility for various skating disciplines.

Latest Models

  1. Jackson Debut: Latest addition to the Jackson line, providing advanced features for competitive skaters.
  2. Edea Piano: An innovative model designed for top-level skaters, incorporating cutting-edge technology for maximum performance.
  3. Riedell Elara: A new model offering advanced support and comfort features, suitable for high-level competitors.
  4. Graf Bolero: Latest model focusing on providing excellent support and comfort for intermediate to advanced skaters.

These descriptions should help skaters choose the right figure skates based on their skill level and skating discipline, ensuring they have the support and features necessary to perform at their best.